Distention device for tubular structures.



v P. POWELL. DISTENSION DEVICE FOR TUBULAR STRUCTURES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.22, |912. v

1,140,527. PaIenIedMay 25, 1915.

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEToE.,

PETER POWELL, E CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO STANDARD TIRE AND RUBBER. COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A `CORPORATION OF MASSACHU- SETTS.

I 1 DISTENTION DEVICE Eon TUBLAE STRUCTURES.

Specicationof Letters Patient. i Patented May25, 1915,

Application iled August 22, 1912. Serial No. 716,372.

citizen ofthe United States, residing at l Cambridge,in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented nevi7V and useful Improvements inDistention Devices for'Tubular Structures, of which the v following is aspeoiication. p

My invention relates to distention devices for tubular structures and its objects are to distend and support the wall of collapsible tubes; to effect a ready means for repairing automobile tires, and to render moreefective `the arrangement and operation of thel various parts. v i

My invention primarily 'consists of tWo expansible members connected by a curved' metallic rod, the wall of each of said mem-v bers being adapted to expand outwardly'toward the Wall of a' vsurrounding ring, and

thereby to rsecure and hold in the space between said walls the ends of a collapsible or expansible tube of rubber or like material.

My invention further consists in thevarious modifications and novel arrangement of parts more specificallyv hereinafter point-y ed out and claimed. `v e In repairing automobile tires at the present day, it is the common practice where a tire'hasv been punctured, to cut vaway the parts about said puncture and to repair the same by applying and cenienting to the body of said tire, `various layers of rubber and friction stock `until the said puncture has been closed. Y After the opening caused by the puncture has been vthus partially re paired, it is the usual practice to introduce within the said tire an expansiblefair bag which is'specially constructed for the pur-` pose; it being usually made inthe form of an elongated rubber. cylinder with sold ends and means being "providedfor introducing air and `expanding the same afterpit'has been installed. The said rubber bags are collapsible, and while in a collapsedstate tliey .a1e introduced within the said automobile tire'at lthe region adjacent the partially repaired puncture. The tire then placed in a rigid metal mold` the'parts of which .are firmly clamped together. After the tire has been placed in the mold, the air bag is then distended b v forcing air within the same,` and the walls of thev bag are forced outwardly7 against thegwall of` the tire; thereby forcing the said wall, land particu# varying in different bags; and in some bags,. A asbestos being used as' a constituent part of f a protective outer covering.

In all such bags, it has been found that owing to the 4fact of their being constantly subjected to high temperatures, they rapidly deteriorate; and it is unusual that a bag of such character can be usedeffectively more than fifty times. In the majority of cases, the bags become unfit for-use long before such limit has been reached. Owing to the intense heat sustained by such bags in the heating charnb'er the rubber soon becomes extremely dry and hardand they are likely to crack open or burn out at'any time, in which case they collapsev and are rendered absolutely unserviceable.

Awhere tliebest of materials areused, the

life of the bag may be somewhat prolonged.

And in the cases where the asbestos covering intof the construction of the bag will inevi` tably deteriorate and the life of the bag not be prolonged except to a comparatively small extent. Furthermore, as is obvious,l the ends of the bag must be quite solid in order to sustain the pressure of the air Within, seventy-five pounds to the inch being the usual amount which the bag is required to sustain in addition to the increased expansive power of said airbecause of the heat to which it is exposed in the chamber. Such ends yare an expensive portion of the bag and have to be carefully constructed in order that they may discharge the office which they are called upon to perform. y

kAttention is hereby directed to the accompanying drawing in which similar numerals of designation refer to similar parts throughoutf'the several views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved structure, the rings and body wall not being shown; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of my device showing the same after the parts have been completely assembled; Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3 3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Refer ing to the drawing: At the ends of the rod 4, which is constructed preferably of metal and is curved in form, I secure the members 5, 5, each of which is constructed with a shank 6, one end of which is threaded to engage with the nut 7, and theother end of which is formed in a head 8. Upon the innerportion of said head is the threaded boss 9, which engages with the threaded collar l0. The inner portion of said threaded collar is constricted, the better toy engage with the heads 11, of the rod 4, but at the same time allowin free play of the same.

Within the spaces ormed between the headsl 8, 8 and the nuts 7, I introduce the sleeves 12, made preferably of rubber or the like but which may be of any expansible material which would serve for the purpose.

One of the Shanks 6 is constructed with the bore 13 for the purpose of permitting air to pass through the same to the region between the two members 5, 5, the ordinary rubber tube 14, with the vair valve 18 being secured to the free end of said Shanks.

When my device is employed for the purpose ofrepairingautomobile tires, I first-introduce the same within the expansible tube 15, which ordinarily is formed of junk rubber tubing, or other similar material. I then cover the exterior of, said tubingwith layers of cotton fabric. While I prefer to use cotton fabric for such purpose, any kind of fabric may be used, provided it serves the purpose of protecting the exterior of said tube 15. .To secure the ends of said tube and layers to the members 5, 5, I employ the metallic rings 17, 17, which are vconstructed of such diameter as very nearly to fit over the rubber sleeves 12 when covered by the tube and wrappings surroundin@ the same. Then by tightening the nuts outwardly the rubber sleeves against the inner walls ofthe rings 17 thus hermetically closing the'ends 'of the tubingv and forming an air tight joint. After my device has been assembled as aforesaid, it is then used in the `same manner as other air` bags now upon the market. v

No care has to be exercised in installing my device. It makes no difference how my bag is picked up or how placed in the tire,

it will always automatically shape itself to the position of such tire. The curve in the steel rod will always conform to the curve of the tire. There is no possibility of straining the air bag longitudinally when the same is renmved from the tire asinother bags in common use, since such strain in my device all comes on the rod. Y Neither as withr such other bags, must care be exercised to prevent the bag from bending from the shape in which it'is made andcracking the case thereby, since my air bag is so flexible that it may bend`in any direction.v v

By the use of the freely moving metal rod 4f, I hold my bag in proper longitudinal distention without being obliged to employ the stif walled structure now in use so made to prevent the bag from beingv pulled or picked out of shape. No one so far as Iam aware, prior to myself has successfully used a rod to keep the ends of the bag in proper relation. In view of the fact that Iemploy in the use of my invention the rubber sleeves 12 together with strips of junk. tubing andV cheap cotton cloth which'can be readily replaced at a very small cost, I believe' that I have produced a device the essential working parts, of which .are practically indestructible. v I

While notessential to the operation of my device, I prefer to construct the collar 10 as yshown with considerable play b e-V tween the same and the shank of the rod 4in orderythat the members 5 may assume such positions within the rubber tire as will permit the'surfaces of the same to. readily conform with the inner surface of the tire.`

While I have described the use of my invention with particular reference to automobile tires, I by vno means desire to limit the application'of `my invention solely to this field since as is obvious my inventori could be used in other ways and otherm'anners wherey distention or supporting devices are required for tubular structures Lwithout departing from the spirit of my invention. Y

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is y 1. A distention device for tubular structures comprising an elongated air tight bag, outwardly expansible cylindrical heads located within and secured to the ends of said bag to tightly close the same, and arod conforming to the curvature of said tubular structure and having its extremities connected with the respective heads. y t

2. A distention device for tubular structures comprising an elongated ai` tight bag, outwardly expansible cylindrical vheads located within and secured to the ends of said bag to tightly close the same, a rod conforming to the curvature of said tubular 'structure and havingI its extremities connected with the respective heads, one of said heads being provided with an air valve, and means whereby air may be introduced 4through the last mentioned head. v 3. A distention device for tubular structures comprising an elongated air tight bag, outwardlyv expansible cylindrical heads located within and secured to the ends of said bag to tightly close the same, a curved rod conforming to the curvature ofsaid tubular body, and connections between the extremities of said rod and thev respective heads, said connections permitting the heads to conform to the inner surface of the tubularl which are enlarged and are secured within said recesses, said recesses permitting free movement of said members upon the ends of said rod. I

5. In a device for distending the. wall of tubular structures, a curved rod, the ends of which terminate in heads, two spool shaped ymembers each of which bears a boss movably secured to one of said heads, and which carries upon its shank a vcollar of expansible material, said shank being threaded at one end, and a nut engaging with the threaded portion of said shank, combined with a co1- lapsible tube covering said rod and members and rings securing the ends of said tube to the periphery of said'collars.

6. In an expansible air bag for vulcanizing purposes, the combination with two expansible heads each having a socket for a ball, of a curvedI rod which connects said heads and is provided with a ball at each end which is seated in a socket therein, an

' elastic section of tube which passes over said heads, cloth wound around said tube, rings which extend around the cloth around the tube and around each head, and a passage through one head which connects with a Valve whereby the air bag may be infiated.

7. A11 air bag for vulcanizing purposes which comprises two heads each of which has a socket, a curved rod each end of which is pivoted in one of said sockets, an elastic section of tube between and inclosing said heads, means for detachably attaching said elastic section of tube to the heads, and a passage through one head and a valve through which air may be introduced into the interior of the elastic section of tube.

8. In an air bag for vulcanizing purposes, the combination with two expansible heads each comprising compression plates and an elastic packing ring there between, of a curved rod each end of which is pivotally connected to one of said heads, an elastic .section of tube between and inclosing said heads, rings which extend around the tube around each head, and a passage through one head and a valve through which air may beintroduced into the interior of the elastic section ofthe tube.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto .set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PETER POWELL.

Witnesses:

ROBERT JACKSON CRAM, ELIZABETHS. OCONNOR. 

